2,2&#39;-methylenebis(trans-3,5-dihydroxystilbene)



United States Patent ()fiice Patented Sept. 29, 1970 3,531,533 2,2-METHYLENEBIS(TRANS-3,5- DIHYDROXYSTILBENE) Herbert George Arlt, Jr., Ridgefield, and Natalie Elaine Conroy, New Canaan, Conn., assignors, by mesne assignments, to Arizona Chemical Company, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware No Drawing. Filed Oct. 28, 1968, Ser. No. 771,359

Int. Cl. C07c 43/20 U.S. Cl. 260-613 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE New stilbene derivatives having the following formula:

wherein R is methoxy or hydroxy; and a method for destroying or inhibiting microorganisms using the new stilbene derivatives.

This invention relates to new stilbene compounds and to a process for controlling undesirable microorganisms in natural waters, swimming pools, ornamental water installations, industrial process waters, industrial and municipal effluents and the like, by the use of such compounds. More particularly, it relates to processes for controlling the growth or eradicating algae and other microorganisms having a deleterious effect on industrial process water systems.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide a process for inhibiting or eradicating microbial growth, and particularly algae growth, by contacting such growth with stilbene derivatives.

A further object is to provide new stilbene derivatives having biocidal activity.

These and other objects of the invention-will become more apparent as the description thereof proceeds.

In accordance with the present invention, it has now been found that Waters normally subject to infestation with microorganisms, and particularly algae, may be rendered free of such infestation or it may be effectively controlled within acceptable limits, by the addition of minor but effective amounts of a composition comprising a trans-stilbene compound of the formula:

wherein R is meth oxy or hydroxy.

These new compounds may be employed singly, in admixtures of two or more, or in formulations where they are dissolved, emulsified, adsorbed on carriers, etc., as well known in the art. They may be used either for the prevention of infestation with microorganisms, to inhibit the growth of such organisms, or for their partial or complete eradication.

Some of these aromatic stilbenes are found in nature, while others are products of chemical synthesis 'or chemical modifications of the naturally occurring compounds. Trans-3,S-dihydroxystilbene and its monoand dimethyl ethers, for example, have been identified in extractives from the heartwood of the Pinus species.

The 2,2-methylenebis(trans-3,5-substituted stilbene) is prepared from trans-3,5-substituted stilbene. Trans-3,5- dir'nethoxystilbene is available in tall oil head fractions. The fraction is treated with paraformaldehyde in the presence of an acid catalyst such as an acid clay catalyst at elevated temperature of from about 60 C. to C. for from about 1 to 3 hours. The product is obtained by separation, e.g. filtration and solvent removal under vacuum, to obtain 2,2'-methylenebis(trans-3,S-substituted stilbene). The hydroxy derivative is obtained by demethylation, e.g. by known demethylation methods.

Contrary to the action of many other compounds which exhibit marked biocidal activity against a particular type of microorganisms, the compounds of the present invention are remarkable for their broad spectrum of biocidal activity and show a high degree of toxicity against many distinctly different and unrelated microorganisms, including algae, fungi, bacteria, and the like, such as for example bacteria of the species Aerobacter, Bacillus, and Pseudomonas; fungi of the species Penicillium and Aerobacter; and algae of the species Ankistrodesmus, Anacystis, Gloeotrichia, Mellosira, and Chlamydomonas. The compounds of this invention are effective at concentrations of one part per billion to about 200 parts per million.

The stilbenes of this invention may, of course, either be applied alone or as active ingredients in suitable formulations. For example, when large surface areas of water are to be treated, it is preferred to apply a dilute solution in a suitable water-soluble solvent, such as methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol, and the like. Such a solution may be sprayed on the surface to be treated. Alternatively an aqueous emulsion may be used.

The following examples are given to illustrate the invention and are not intended to be limitative.

EXAMPLE I An 1100 g. sample of tall oil fatty acid (unsaponifiables 2.7%, rosin acids 4.1%) was treated with 0.5% paraformaldehyde on a steam bath one and one-half hours in the presence of 1% Super Filtrol clay and Was filtered immediately. Vacuum distillation of the filtrate gave a 1.0% heads cut, a 91.8% main cut, and a 4.1% residue (recovery 96.9). The residue was cooled carefully, and a small amount of white crystalline solids deposited slowly. After filtration and trituration of the mushy crystals with petroleum ether, the crude product was recrystallized from benzene to yield white needles with a sharp melting point of 192193 C.

The ultraviolet spectrum was very similar to that of trans 3,5-dimethoxystilbene, with an absorption maxi mum at 304 mu, a.=86.1 (trans 3,5-dimethoxystilbene A max=300 m a.=122.8). The carbon and hydrogen analysis (80.2% C, 6.72% H) agreed with the empirical formula C H O calculated: 80.5% C, 6.55% H. Infrared analysis indicated the presence of trans double bond absorption.

3 The compound was 2,2-methylenebis(trans 3,5-dimethoxystilbene) having a structure as shown below.

EXAMPLE II OCHa OCHa

4 EXAMPLE 1v Five unialgal cultures, freshly obtained from the Culture Collection of Algae, Indiana University, were used. These were Ankistrodesmus al'cuazus, Chlamydomonas gigantea, Melosz'ra varians, Anacysris aeruginosa, and Gloeotrichia echinulata. A control was used for each species. Growth of the algal species Was studied at two dilutions, 1:1,000 and 1:1,000,000. Properly diluted trans- 3,5-dihydroxystilbene was added to each flask containing 200 ml. of medium and a specific algal form. Bristols medium was used for Ankistrodesmus arcuatus and Chlamydomonas gigantea; Kopps meduim was used for Melosira varians; ASM medium was used for the other species. The flasks were placed on a gyratory shaker and illuminated with Gro-Lux fluorescent tubes, alternating ten hours of light with fourteen hours of darkness. Turbidity measurements were made daily for a period of one week on samples taken from each flask. The results so obtained are shown in the following table.

TABLE I.PERCENT OF CONTROL IN RELATION TO LIGHT TRANSMISSION Ankistrodesmus Gloeotrichia Anacystis Chlamydomonas Mel osira Dilutions Dilutions Dilutions Dilutions Dilutions Days 10 10 10 Days 10 10 10 Days 10 10 Days 10 10 10 Days 1O 10 10 20 50 70 80 85 30 60 70 50 60 70 1 40 70 80 15 35 50 10 80 80 40 65 40 55 65 2 35 65 75 5 40 10 75 80 15 30 6O 50 65 3 t 25 (i0 75 0 30 5 70 75 0 30 55 30 60 4 15 60 70 0 20 40 0 70 75 0 25 25 45 5 10 55 70 0 20 35 0 70 75 0 20 40 25 40 55 6 10 50 0 20 35 0 O 20 35 20 40 50 7 3 50 60 TABLE IA.-PE RCENI OF C ONT ROL IN RELATION TO L1 G HT TRANSMISS [ON F0 R 2, 2'

METH YLENEBIS(T BANS-3,5-DIHYD ROX YSTILBENE) Ankistrodesmus Anacystis Gloeotrichia Melosira Dilutions Dilutions Dilutions Dilutions Days 10 10 D ays 10 10 Days 10 10 Days 10 10 90 1 90 90 1 00 00 l 05 70 80 2 75 80 2 7O 90 2 00 05 20 80 3 50 65 3 60 S0 3 70 00 10 75 4 35 45 4 40 70 4 (i0 80 5 50 5 30 30 5 30 60 5 45 70 5 35 6 I5 20 (i 20 50 6 25 50 5 l5 7 3 7 7 10 20 7 15 20 yielded 19.6 pounds of 2,2-methylenebis(trans 3,5-dimethoxystilbene). Demethylation of this compound with boron tribromide in methylene chloride under reflux yielded 16.5 pounds of 2,2'-methylenebis(trans-3,5-dihydroxystilbene EXAMPLE III Three hundred pounds of a heads fraction from the fractionation of tall oil, having a boiling range of about 170205 C. at 4 mm. pressure, was heated with 6 pounds paraformaldehyde and 25 pounds acid clay catalyst (marketed by Filtrol Corporation under the mark Super- Filtrol 22) for two hours at C. A volatile fraction, consisting of 162 pounds, was then removed by distillation at 250 C. and 12 mm. pressure, and the still pot was cooled. Four hundred pounds of 1:1 acetone-methanol was then charged, and the solution was heated under reflux for 30 minutes. Upon cooling 9.2 pounds of 2,2- methylenebis(trans-3,S-dihydroxystilbene) separated.

TABLE IB.1ERCENT OI" CONTROL IN RELATION TO LIGHT TRANSMISSION FOR 2,2-METI-IYLENEBIS (TRANS-3,5-DII-IYDROXYS'IILBENE) Ankistrodesmus arcua- Anacystis aeruginosa While I have set forth certain specific embodiments and preferred modes of practice of the invention, it will be apparent that this is solely for the purpose of illustration,

980,278 1/1965 Great Britain.

@[Q BERNARD HELFIN, Primary Examiner R 15 U.S. c1. X.R. wherein R'represents a member of the group consisting 260 619 346 of methoxy and hydroxy groups.

5 6 and that various changes and modifications may be made 2. A compound according to claim 1 which is 2,2- in the invention without departing from the spirit of the methylenebis(trans-3,S-dimethoxystilbene). disclosure or the scope of the appended claims. 3. A compound according to claim 1 which is 2,2-

We claim: I methylbenebis(trans-3,S-dihydroxystilbene). 1. A stilbene derivative of the formula: 5

R References Cited G UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,625,568 1/1953 Young et a1. 260-613 T 1; 10 FOREIGN PATENTS UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION 3,531,533 Dated September 29, 1970 Patent No.

Inventor) Herbert George Arlt Jr. et a1 It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Following Table I insert the following:

This demonstrates the effectiveness of the compound against algal species which are difficult to control.

EXAMPLE V Utilizing essentially the same test procedure described in Example 1, control of algal growth was obtained with the other compounds recited at substantially the same toxicant levels.

Signed and sealed this 22nd day of December 1970.

(SEAL) Attest:

WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, JR.

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR.

Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer FORM P0-105O (ID-69b USCOMM DC 60376 Poo i U S. GOVIIIIINT PRINTING Ol'HCi: ll! (II-SIl-Sll 

